Death positive Movement Tenets

From founder of the Order of The Good Death’s Caitlin Doughty

 

  • I believe that by hiding death and dying behind closed doors we do more harm than good to our society.

  • I believe that the culture of silence around death should be broken through discussion, gatherings, art, innovation, and scholarship.

  • I believe that talking about and engaging with my inevitable death is not morbid, but displays a natural curiosity about the human condition.

  • I believe that the dead body is not dangerous, and that everyone should be empowered (should they wish to be) to be involved in care for their own dead.

  • I believe that the laws that govern death, dying and end-of-life care should ensure that a person’s wishes are honored, regardless of sexual, gender, racial or religious identity.

  • I believe that my death should be handled in a way that does not do great harm to the environment.

  • I believe that my family and friends should know my end-of-life wishes, and that I should have the necessary paperwork to back-up those wishes.

  • I believe that my open, honest advocacy around death can make a difference, and can change culture.